Constitution & Canons together with Rules of Order & Financial Regulations (Last revised November 2019) The Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh
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Constitution & Canons
together with
Rules of Order & Financial Regulations
(Last revised November 2019)
The Anglican Diocese
of
Pittsburgh
2
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Table of Contents
CONSTITUTION 7
Article I 7 Faith and Order by Constitution and Provincial Membership by Canon 7
Article II 7 Meeting of Convention 7
Article III 7 Members of Convention 7
Article IV 8 President of the Convention 8
Article V 8 Transaction of Business 8
Article VI 9 Secretary of the Convention 9
Article VII 9 Chief Executive Officer 9
Article VIII 9 The Ecclesiastical Authority 9
Article IX 9 Standing Committee 9
Article X 10 The Board of Trustees for the Diocese 10
Article XI 10 Diocesan Council 10
Article XII 11 Deputies to Extra-Diocesan Conventions or Synods 11
Article XIII 11 Admission of Congregations 11
Article XIV 11 Election of a Bishop 11
Article XV 12 Congregational Property 12
Article XVI 12 Alteration of the Constitution 12
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CANONS 13
Canon I 13 Provincial Membership within the Anglican Communion 13
Canon II 14 Of a List of Clergy in the Diocese 14
Canon III 14 Of Deputies 14
Canon IV 15 Of Congregational Registers and Reports 15
Canon V 16 Of the Board of Trustees 16
Canon VI 17 Of the Diocesan Council 17
Canon VII 19 Assistance to the Bishop 19
Canon VIII 19 Of the Director of Administration 19 Committees and Program Units 19
Canon X 20 Of the Chancellor 20
Canon XI 20 Of the Committee on Canons 20
Canon XII 20 Of the History and Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh 20
Canon XIII 20 Budget and Financial Administration 20
Canon XIV 22 Of the Episcopal Funds 22
Canon XV 22 Of the Diocesan Cathedral 22
Canon XVI 22 Of Congregations 22
Canon XVII 25 Of Mission Fellowships 25
Canon XVIII 26 Of the Organization of Unincorporated and Incorporated Congregations 26
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Canon XIX 26 Business Methods in Church Affairs 26
Canon XX 28 Districts 28
Canon XXI 29 Ecclesiastical Discipline 29
Canon XXII 30 Of the Mode of Election of Rector or Other Member of the Clergy 30
Canon XXIII 31 Of the Canonically Resident Clergy 31
Canon XXIV 32 Bishop’s Authority in Clergy-Congregation Relations 32
Canon XXV 32 Of Definition of Titles 32
Canon XXVI 33 Of Persons Repelled from the Holy Communion 33
Canon XXVII 33 Of Vacant Congregations 33
Canon XXVIII 34
Canon XXIX 34 Of Elections 34
Canon XXX 34
Canon XXXI 35 Of the Commission on Ministry 35
Canon XXXII 35 Of Architecture of Church Buildings 35
Canon XXXIII 36 Of Amendments 36
Canon XXXIV 36 Definitions 36
RULES OF ORDER 38
A. Organization and Business 38
B. General Rules 39
C. Parliamentary Procedure 42
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D. Rules of Order at the Election of a Bishop, Bishop-Coadjutor, or Suffragan Bishop 42
FINANCIAL REGULATIONS 45
I. Collection and Handling of Funds 45
II. Authorization and Payment of Obligations 45
III. Accounting and Pre-Auditing 46
IV. Budgetary Control 46
V. Appointment, Compensation, and Conditions of Service of Staff 47
VI. Pension Arrangements 47
VII. Procurement and Handling of Equipment, Materials, and Supplies 47
VIII. Custody of and Procedure for Investment of Funds 48
IX. Control of Capital Assets 48
X. Post-Auditing 48
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Constitution
Article I Faith and Order by Constitution and Provincial Membership by Canon
Section 1. The Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, hereafter known as the Diocese, is a constituent
member of the Anglican Church in North America, hereafter known as the Province, and adheres
to the Constitution and Canons of said Province.
Section 2. The Diocese of Pittsburgh embraces all those counties of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania known as Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene,
Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland. Additionally, for reasons found satisfactory
to any Convention of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Congregations outside of the boundaries of the
aforementioned counties may be considered for admission into union with the Diocese of
Pittsburgh, provided that they meet all other requirements set forth in the Constitution and
Canons of the Diocese of Pittsburgh for canonical admission.
Article II Meeting of Convention
Section 1. There shall be a stated Convention of the Church in this Diocese, to be held during
the months of October or November of each year at such time and at such place within the
Diocese as shall be fixed by the preceding Convention.
Section 2. For any sufficient cause, occurring after the designation of the place of meeting of
the Annual Convention, the Bishop, or, in the case of the Bishop’s inability to act or of a vacancy
in the Episcopate, the Standing Committee, may appoint another time or place, or both, for the
meeting of the Convention.
Section 3. The Bishop, or if there should be no Diocesan, or if the Bishop should be incapable of
acting, the Standing Committee, shall have power to call a special Convention. There shall be
not less than thirty days’ notice, previous to the day appointed, given to the Clergy and the
several Congregations in the Diocese, by a circular letter; such special Convention shall be held
at the place designated by the Ecclesiastical Authority calling it; and at such special Convention
no other business shall be transacted than that stated in the notice calling the Convention.
Article III Members of Convention
Section 1. The convention shall be composed of Clergy and Lay Deputies.
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Section 2. Every member of the Clergy, in regular standing, who shall have been canonically
resident in the Diocese, and engaged in the parochial, missionary, or educational work of the
Church, under the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese, for three months preceding any
Convention, shall be entitled to a seat and vote in such Convention in all cases except in the
election of a Bishop, in which case the qualifications necessary to vote shall be as hereinafter
provided in Article XIV of this Constitution, PROVIDED, that no member of the Clergy so
qualified shall lose his or her right to a seat and vote by reason of sickness or old age.
Section 3. The Deputies shall consist of two Deputies from each Congregation in Union with
the Convention, chosen from the Lay Communicants as the Convention may, from time to time,
by Canon prescribe. And each such Congregation shall have the right to send additional
Deputies, chosen as aforesaid, in such proportion to the number of its registered communicants
as the Convention may, from time to time, by Canon prescribe. PROVIDED, however, that a
change in the scale of graduation, when fixed by Canon, shall not become effective until the next
succeeding Annual Convention. The Chancellor of the Diocese shall be ex-officio a member of
the Convention with the right to a single vote in the Lay order.
Section 4. Because contribution of the Godly Share reflects a Congregation’s sharing in the
life of the Diocese, a failure by a Congregation to contribute its Godly Share shall be brought to
the attention of the Convention as it convenes. In such cases, the Convention shall consider and
decide whether, in wisdom and grace, the delegates from the Congregation should not be seated.
There shall be a rebuttable presumption that delegates would be seated despite a Congregation’s
failure to contribute its Godly Share. The decision of the Convention in this regard shall be final
and unassailable.
Article IV President of the Convention
The Bishop, or Bishop in charge of the Diocese, shall preside, ex-officio, in the Convention, and
shall be entitled to a vote. The Bishop-Coadjutor, when there is one, shall have a Seat and a vote
in the Convention, and, in the absence of the Bishop, shall preside. In the event of there being a
Suffragan Bishop, the Suffragan Bishop shall be entitled to the same privileges, and, in the
absence of both the Bishop and the Bishop-Coadjutor, shall preside. In case of vacancy in the
Episcopate, or of the absence of the Bishop, Bishop-Coadjutor, and Suffragan Bishop, or of their
inability to act, the members of the Convention shall elect, from the Presbyters, a President pro
tempore.
Article V Transaction of Business
Section 1. Such members of the Clergy and Deputies as shall at any time be duly assembled in
Convention shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
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Section 2. The Clergy and Deputies shall deliberate as one body and shall vote as such:
PROVIDED, that a call for vote by Orders may be initiated by any ten members of the
Convention of whom at least five must be Clergy and at least five must be Lay Deputies.
Section 3. On every question the votes of a majority of those present, or when voting by Orders
the votes of a majority of those present of the two Orders respectively, shall decide.
Section 4. All elections to offices in the Convention, or to places on committees, shall be
conducted in accordance with the Canons enacted to govern such elections: PROVIDED,
however, that the election of a Bishop shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of
Article XIV of this Constitution.
Article VI Secretary of the Convention
At each Annual Convention a Secretary shall be chosen, who shall continue in office until a
successor is appointed. The duties of the Secretary shall be to take the minutes of the
proceedings, and when approved to enter them in a proper book; to preserve the Journal and
Records; and to attest the public acts of the body; and faithfully to deliver into the hands of
successors all books and papers belonging to the Convention in his or her possession.
Article VII Chief Executive Officer
The Bishop shall be the chief executive officer of the Diocese.
Article VIII The Ecclesiastical Authority
Whenever in the Constitution or Canons of this Diocese provision is made for action by the
Bishop, such action, in case of the absence or disability of the Bishop, shall devolve upon the
Bishop-Coadjutor if there be one; but if there be none, or in the absence or disability of the
Bishop-Coadjutor, shall devolve upon the Suffragan Bishop, if there be one; or, if there be no
Bishop-Coadjutor or Suffragan Bishop, shall devolve upon the Standing Committee.
Article IX Standing Committee
Section 1. At each Annual Convention one member of the Clergy and one Lay person shall be
elected for a period of four years. No member of the Standing Committee shall be eligible to
succeed himself or herself until the next Convention following the expiration of term of office.
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Section 2. The Clerical members of the Standing Committee must be of those entitled to Seats
in the Convention of the Diocese.
Section 3. The Lay members of the Committee must be communicants in some Congregation of
the Diocese in Union with the Convention.
Section 4. The Standing Committee shall also be the council of advice to the Bishop.
Section 5. The Standing Committee shall have such additional rights and duties and powers as
may be conferred by the Canons of the Province or of this Diocese duly enacted.
Article X The Board of Trustees for the Diocese
Section 1. There shall be a Board of Trustees for the Diocese.
Section 2. The powers and duties of said Board so incorporated shall be to collect, receive, hold,
manage, and properly dispose of all property that is conveyed or transferred to the Diocese, for
its benefit or the benefit of any of its Congregations, bodies, or associations.
Section 3. The Board of Trustees shall be comprised of from five to twenty members, including
the Bishop. The manner of election or appointment shall be set by Canon. The length of term
of service shall also be set by Canon. The Bishop shall appoint the President of the Board, and
the Board of Trustees shall elect such others officers as it shall deem appropriate.
Article XI Diocesan Council
Section 1. The Diocesan Council shall consist of the Bishop, the Secretary of the Convention,
the Chancellor of the Diocese, the President of the Board of Trustees, the President of the
Standing Committee, and three Deputies to Convention from each District (normally two lay and
one ordained) elected in the manner and for the term specified by Canon duly enacted.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Diocesan Council to prepare and report to each Convention
a calculation of the Godly Share from the Congregations to the Diocese for the ensuing year, and
such report, as it is finally adopted in Convention, shall be spirituality binding on the
Congregations.
Section 3. Also, the Diocesan Council shall have such additional rights and duties and powers
as may be conferred on it by the Convention through enactment of a Canon or adoption of a
resolution.
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Article XII Deputies to Extra-Diocesan Conventions or Synods
Section 1. In accordance with Provincial Canon 1, Section 2, the Diocese In convention shall
elect delegates and alternates to the Provincial Council when a vacancy occurs in the current
delegation. The term of office shall be as stated in Provincial Canon 1, Section 2. The number
of alternates shall be determined by Diocesan Standing Committee.
Section 2. In accordance with Provincial Canon 2, Section 3, the Diocese In convention shall
elect delegates and alternates to the Provincial Assembly at the convention prior to the
announced meeting of the Assembly. The number delegates shall be in accordance with
Provincial Canon. The number of alternates shall be determined by Diocesan Standing
Committee.
Section 3. Should a vacancy among the deputies or delegates occur by reason of resignation,
removal from the Diocese, death or otherwise between the stated times of election, then such
vacancy shall be filled as provided by Article IX, Section 5 of the Constitution.
Section 4. In case of failure or neglect of the Convention to elect deputies or delegates, those
already in office shall continue until successors are chosen.
Section 5 The Bishop, in consultation with the Diocesan Standing Committee, shall elect Youth
Representatives In numbers as put forth I Provincial Canon 2, Section 3.
Article XIII
Admission of Congregations
Any congregation desiring union with the Diocese may be admitted into Union with the
Convention, on motion, by a majority of votes; provided that it shall have complied with the
canonical requirements for such admission and it shall have laid before the Convention its
Charter and By-laws, or its original Articles of Association, or a duly certified copy thereof,
wherein it expressly adopts and recognizes the authority of the Constitution and Canons of this
Diocese, and commits to upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in
the Book of Common Prayer. A congregation so admitted into union with the Convention shall
constitute a Congregation in Union with the Convention.
Article XIV Election of a Bishop
The election of a Bishop for this Diocese shall be made in Convention, in the following manner:
After nomination in open Convention, the Clergy and Laity shall ballot separately and a
concurrent majority in both Orders shall be necessary to a choice. If two-thirds of either Order
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be represented at Convention, a majority vote shall determine the choice of such Order;
otherwise, a vote of two-thirds shall be necessary for that purpose. PROVIDED, that in all cases
of the election of a Bishop, no member of the Clergy shall be entitled to vote unless he or she
shall have been, for at least six months immediately preceding the election, canonically resident
in this Diocese.
Article XV Congregational Property
All Church property, both real and personal, owned by a Congregation is and shall be solely and
exclusively owned by such Congregation and shall not be subject to any trust interest in favor of
the Diocese or any other claim of ownership arising out of the Diocese.
Article XVI Alteration of the Constitution
This Constitution, or any part thereof, may be altered in the following manner only: The
proposed alteration or amendment shall be submitted in writing to the Annual Convention, and if
approved by a majority of each Order, shall lie over to the next Annual Convention, and if again
approved, by a majority of each Order, the Constitution shall then stand altered or amended as
proposed.
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Canons
Canon I Provincial Membership
Section 1. The Diocese of Pittsburgh shall be a member of the Anglican Church in North
America.
Section 2. The Diocese of Pittsburgh may do business as the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Section 3. Election of Delegates to Provincial Council.
a. Beginning with the year 2020, Convention shall elect delegates and alternate delegates to
Provincial Council every fifth year. Convention shall elect one (1) delegate from the Clergy
Order and two (2) delegates from the Lay Order. Convention shall also elect one (1) alternate
delegate from the Clergy Order and two (2) alternate delegates from the Lay Order.
Delegates and alternate delegates shall be elected for a term of five years and serve the
Provincial Council as required by the Canons of the Anglican Church in North America.
b. In the event one of more delegates are unable to serve the Provincial Council at any time, an
alternate delegate shall serve as a delegate as directed by the Bishop from time to time.
c. No delegate or alternate delegate may serve two full terms consecutively. Alternate
delegates may be elected as delegates upon completion of the alternate term. Alternate
delegates appointed by the Bishop to serve as delegates may be elected as delegates.
Section 4. Election of Delegates to Provincial Assembly.
a. Upon the Diocese receiving notice of a scheduled Provincial Assembly, the Convention
immediately preceding such Assembly shall elect delegates to such Assembly. Convention
shall elect delegates from the Clergy Order and the Lay Order as directed by said notice. An
equal number of alternate delegates shall be elected at Convention. In the event one of more
delegates is unable to serve the Provincial Assembly at any time, an alternate delegate shall
serve as a delegate as directed by the Bishop from time to time.
b. In the event any assembly is scheduled to meet before the next scheduled Convention,
Standing Committee shall select the delegates and alternate delegates to Assembly.
c. The term for a delegate or alternate delegate shall expire as of the official conclusion of the
Assembly.
d. Delegates to Assembly may serve up to three Assemblies consecutively. Alternate delegates
to Assembly may be elected to unlimited consecutive terms. In the event an alternate
delegate is appointed by the Bishop to serve Assembly, such alternate may subsequently be
elected as a delegate and may serve up to three Assemblies consecutively.
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Canon II Of a List of Clergy in the Diocese
The Secretary of the Convention shall keep a register of the Clergy entitled to Seats or votes in
the Convention of this Diocese, in the following manner: The Bishop, Bishop-Coadjutor, or
Suffragan Bishop, or when there is no Bishop, the President of the Standing Committee shall,
sixty days prior to the meeting of the Convention, deliver to the Secretary, or in the absence of
the Secretary, to such other person as may be appointed by the presiding officer of the
Convention, a certified list of the Clergy in regular standing and canonically connected with the
Diocese, specifying their parochial responsibilities or their residences and employment
respectively; and also the dates of the ordination or reception of those who have been ordained or
received into the Diocese within the year immediately preceding. From this list the Secretary
shall prepare, in conformity with Article III, Section 2, and Article XIV, of the Constitution, a
roll of Clergy entitled to Seats or votes in the Convention; and the list thus prepared shall be
prima facie evidence as to the rights of Clergy to Seats or votes in the Convention. The Bishop
(or Ecclesiastical Authority) shall, on the day of the meeting of Convention, provide to the
Secretary any additions or deletions to the certified list submitted in advance of the Convention.
Canon III Of Deputies
Section 1. The Lay Deputies to the Convention shall consist of two members for each
Congregation in Union with the Convention, and additional Lay Deputies for Congregations to
be determined upon the following basis of representation, up to maximum of ten:
For each Congregation, two Lay Deputies
Average Sunday
Attendance (Principal
Services)
Additional
Deputies
Total
100-200 1 3
200-400 2 4
400-600 3 5
600-800 4 6
800-1000 5 7
1000-1250 6 8
1250-1500 7 9
Over 1500 8 10
Average Sunday (Principal Services) Attendance is as reported in the most recent Annual
Congregational Report as provided in Canon IV.
Section 2. Lay Deputies
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a. Lay Deputies from a Congregation shall be elected by the Vestry of the Congregation or by a
meeting of that Congregation, as provided in its by-laws. Deputies shall be elected for three-year
terms; and, where the number of Deputies permits, their three-year terms shall be staggered. No
Deputy who has been so elected for two successive three-year terms shall be eligible for re-
election as a Deputy until the expiration of one year. The Deputies shall be elected and certified
to the Secretary of Convention not later than sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Convention and
all terms of Lay Deputies shall begin as of the first day of July preceding the Annual Convention
for which they were first certified. Each Congregation shall also elect such number of Alternate
Deputies as it shall deem necessary. Each Congregation shall also appoint or elect a Leader of
Deputation whose specific duties shall be provided for in the Congregation By-laws.
b. The election of Deputies and Alternate Deputies to the Convention shall be certified in
writing by a Warden or two members of the Vestry; and the certificate shall state the name,
address and telephone number of each Deputy and Alternate and that each Deputy and Alternate
Deputy named in said certificate was chosen from the communicants of said Congregation. The
certification form shall list all deputies elected by the Congregation, whether newly elected or in
their second or third year of term. The certificate shall be furnished to the Secretary of the
Convention not later than sixty (60) days preceding the Annual Convention. If Deputies and
Alternate Deputies are elected to fill out vacancies caused by death, resignation, or removal for
any cause, the election shall be certified in writing by forwarding an amended certificate to the
Secretary of Convention. Any Congregation failing to timely furnish the certificate to the
Secretary of the Convention shall not be entitled to Seat or vote at the Convention.
Section 3. Lay members of the Standing Committee, the Diocesan Council, the Board of
Trustees for the Diocese, and the Committee on Canons, if they not be Deputies to the
Convention, shall have the privilege of the floor of the Convention, but shall have no votes.
Canon IV Of Congregational Registers and Reports
Section 1. The Vestry of each Congregation shall provide a suitable book to be called the
“Church Register”, which shall belong to and remain with the Vestry, as part of the Church
records. In this Register the Minister, or, if there be none, the Senior Warden, shall keep a
record of all the baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials in the Congregation; specifying
the name and date of the birth of the child baptized, with the names of the parents and sponsors;
the names of the persons confirmed; the names of the adults baptized, and of their witnesses; the
names of the persons married and the witnesses; the name and, where practicable, the age, of the
person buried; and also the time when each rite was performed; and a list of all communicants in
the Congregation.
Section 2. Congregational Reports
a. The Congregational Report of every Congregation of this Diocese shall be prepared annually
for the year ending December 31st preceding, upon the standard forms, and shall be returned in
duplicate not later than March 1st to the Bishop of the Diocese, or upon his request, to the
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Secretary of the Convention. In every Congregation the preparation and delivery of this Report
shall be the joint duty of the Minister and Vestry.
b. In case of failure to present the Congregational Report to the Bishop or Secretary of
Convention on or before March 1st any and all Deputies of such delinquent Congregations shall
not be entitled to Seats in the Convention.
c. Every Bishop, Presbyter, or Deacon whose report is not included in a Congregational Report
shall also report on the exercise of his/her office.
Section 3. The Minister of each Congregation shall keep a list of all baptized persons in
connection with the Congregation. Such Minister, or, in case of a vacancy, the Wardens, shall in
the Congregational Report tabulate as of December 31st of the preceding year, the number of
communicants in the Congregation, provided that there shall not be counted in that number any
person who fails to meet the requirements of communicants in good standing, unless such failure
has been for reasons satisfactory to the Minister.
Section 4. The certified returns above provided for shall be prima facie the basis of lay
representation of each Congregation according to the schedule set out in Canon 2, Section 1. The
communicant numbers of each Congregation, as reported on the aforesaid Congregational
Reports, shall be published at each Annual Convention and a copy of the relevant sections of this
Canon shall be sent by the Secretary to each Congregation in the Diocese before the thirty-first
day of December following, with a statement as to how many Deputies such Congregation is
entitled to elect in the six months following, and in preparation for the next Annual Convention.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of every member of the Clergy having a Seat in the Convention to
attend every meeting thereof, or to send to the Bishop a sufficient excuse for absence.
Canon V Of the Board of Trustees
Section 1. The Board of Trustees shall be composed of the Bishop and ten lay members. The
means of choosing membership of the Board of Trustees may be a combination of election by
Convention, election by District, and appointment by the Bishop. The number of elected
members shall always exceed the number of appointed members.
Section 2. Each Annual Convention shall elect a minimum of one Trustee. All Trustee terms,
whether by election or appointment, are for three years. No Trustee who has served two
successive three-year terms shall be eligible to serve again as Trustee until the expiration of one
year.
Section 3. The size of the Board shall be determined by the extent of assets to be managed. At
any time the existing Board of Trustees may request Diocesan Council to propose a plan of
expansion or contraction of Board membership to the next Diocesan Convention, within the
limits established in Article X, Section 3 of the Constitution. The plan shall include specification
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of the balance between elected and appointed members, and the means by which necessary
elections can be accomplished. The Diocesan Nominating Committee shall be informed, as
appropriate, of the need for nominations to be put forward for election at the Annual Convention.
Section 4. In the event a vacancy shall occur in an elected position on the Board of Trustees
during the unfilled term of said position, such vacancy shall be filled as provided by Article IX,
section 5 of the Constitution.
Canon VI Of the Diocesan Council
Section 1. The Diocesan Council shall act on behalf of the Convention when the Convention is
not in session. In particular, it shall evaluate the policies, programs, and other activities of the
Diocese, make recommendations to the Convention, and give general oversight to the work,
mission, budget and human resources of the Diocese. The Council shall perform such other
functions and tasks as the Convention may assign to it.
Section 2. The Diocesan Council shall hold at least four regular meetings each year and such
additional meetings as may be called by its presiding officer or by the Bishop.
Section 3. Those persons who are to be elected to Diocesan Council as provided in Article XI of
the Constitution shall be elected in the following manner. Whenever a vacancy occurs or is about
to occur for any reason in a position on the Diocesan Council being filled by a person from a
particular District established pursuant to Canon XX hereof, the District Commission shall
nominate one or more persons, Clergy or Lay as appropriate, who are Deputies to the
Convention and who are canonically resident within such District. A successor shall be elected
by the members of such District Commission at the annual meeting of the Commission held
during the Convention.
Section 4. The terms of office of elected members of Diocesan Council shall be three years on a
staggered basis within Districts. No Council member who has served two successive three year
terms shall be eligible for subsequent election until one year has passed since said Council
member was last a member of the Council. Members of Diocesan Council whose terms as
Deputy to Diocesan Convention expire or whose canonical residence has changed to a different
District prior to completion of their term of office to Diocesan Council shall continue, at the
pleasure of the electing District, for the remainder of their Council term as a member of
Diocesan Council. Vacancies due to death, removal or resignation occurring between
Conventions shall be filled as provided in Article IX, Section 5 of the Constitution.
Section 5. The Diocesan Council shall elect its presiding officer and such other officers as it
shall designate.
Section 6. The Diocesan Council shall establish the minimum total compensation and benefits
package to be paid by Congregations to canonically resident Clergy in the Diocese.
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Section 7. The Diocesan Council shall entertain and decide appeals by Congregations which
have been designated as Stressed Congregations by the Bishop or Standing Committee. The
Diocesan Council may appoint a Hearing Examiner to develop a record of evidence concerning
the designation, and shall base its decision upon that record.
Section 8. The Diocesan Council shall prescribe its operating rules and procedures which shall,
among other things, provide for:
a. assistance to the Bishop in carrying out the Bishop’s responsibilities for budget and financial
administration under Canon XIII.
b. hearing Congregations which are seeking adjustments in the calculation of their Godly
Share.
c. a means to receive, develop and propose resolutions to be presented to Diocesan Convention.
d. publication of advance agenda and minutes of the meetings.
e. such working groups as may be required to address current mission goals or strategy.
f. an executive committee appropriate to effective leadership of the above.
g. appointment of a Judge of Assessments and a Judge of Audits.
h. consideration of an appeal by a Congregation which has been designated as Stressed
Congregations by the Bishop or Standing Committee.
Canon VII Of the Standing Committee
Section 1. Members of the Standing Committee shall be elected as provided in Article IX of the
Constitution.
Section 2. Officers of Standing Committee
a. There shall be two offices of the Standing Committee, President and Secretary. Each
President and Secretary of the Standing Committee shall serve for a one year term beginning on
January 1 of the year in question.
b. The President of Standing Committee shall be the member of the clergy order whose final year
on the committee begins on January 1 of the year in question. The Secretary of Standing
Committee shall be the member of the lay order whose final year on the committee begins
January 1 of the year in question.
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c. In the event of a vacancy in either office of the Standing Committee, such vacancy shall be
filled by the next most senior person of the Standing Committee from the appropriate clergy or
lay order.
Section 3. The Standing Committee will (in accordance with Canon XVI Sec. 4, Canon XVIII
Sec. 3) review and approve the Articles of Association, Charter and by-laws or any changes to
them for all congregations in union with or requesting to be in union with the diocese.
Section 4. The Standing Committee shall fill all vacancies that may occur during the recess of the
Convention, in their own body, or in any Committee appointed to sit during the recess of the
Convention, and also in such offices as are held by annual election.
Canon VIII Assistance to the Bishop
The Bishop, with the consent of the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council and the Convention,
shall have the authority to appoint one or more members of the Clergy to assist the Bishop in
respect to the mission of the diocese. Said authority shall include the authority to appoint an
Assistant Bishop. The mission of the Diocese shall include but is not limited to pastoral and
counseling functions, visitations to Congregations, development of these Congregations, the
planting of new Congregations, and relationships with and among Congregations and Districts,
including continuation of the special relationship to Transitional Congregations. Unless such
person be a Bishop-Coadjutor, Suffragan Bishop, or Assistant Bishop, such person or persons so
appointed shall bear such title as shall be deemed appropriate by the Bishop.
Canon IX Of the Director of Administration
There shall be a Director of Administration for the Diocese, who shall be appointed by the
Bishop with the approval of the Diocesan Council. The term of office and salary shall be
determined by the Bishop and the Diocesan Council. The Director of Administration shall be the
Treasurer of the Diocese. In addition, the Director of Administration shall have such duties as
shall be determined by the Bishop, in consultation with the Diocesan Council.
Canon X Committees and Program Units
The Bishop, with the consent of the Diocesan Council, shall have authority to appoint from time
to time such committees and program units, by whatever name called, as the Bishop shall deem
necessary or advisable to carry on the work of the Church in this Diocese.
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Canon XI Of the Chancellor
The Bishop of the Diocese, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, shall appoint
a Chancellor of the Diocese and such Vice Chancellors as the Bishop deems advisable, to hold
office until their successors are appointed. They shall be Lay persons learned in the law and
communicants of the Church. The duties of the Chancellor shall be to act as legal counselor to
the Bishop, the Standing Committee and other Diocesan organizations in matters affecting the
interests of the Diocese. The Vice Chancellors shall perform such duties as shall be delegated to
them by the Chancellor or the Bishop.
Canon XII Of the Committee on Canons
Section 1. The Committee on Canons shall consist of three Clergy and three Lay persons and
shall be elected by ballot at Diocesan Convention.
Section 2. The terms of office of members of the Committee on Canons shall be three years on
a staggered basis. No member who has served for two consecutive three-year terms shall be
eligible for re-election as committee member until the expiration of one year.
Section 3. The Committee on Canons shall elect a chairman from among its membership.
Canon XIII Of the History and Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
Registrar/Historiographer
Section 1. The Bishop may appoint an Archivist who shall administer the Diocesan archives,
including the historical documentation of the Diocese and Congregations, and perform such
other duties as directed by the Bishop or Standing Committee. It shall be the duty of the
Archivist to issue, on request, proper certification of records in the archives including, but not
limited to, Consecration, Ordination, Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage and Burial Records.
Section 2. The Bishop may appoint a Historiographer who shall provide for the safekeeping and
preservation of all Diocesan records not otherwise under the custody of the Archivist, and
perform such other duties as directed by the Bishop or Standing Committee.
Canon XIV Budget and Financial Administration
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Section 1. The Bishop shall have general authority and responsibility for budgetary and fiscal
management. The Bishop shall cause to be prepared, and submitted to the Diocesan Council for
its approval, regulations covering the financial system of the Diocese, including collection and
handling of funds; authorization of obligations and payment therefore; accounting, including pre-
auditing; budgetary control; appointment, compensation and conditions of service of staff;
pension arrangements; procurement and handling of equipment, materials and supplies; custody
of funds; control of capital assets; post-auditing; delegation of authority for such matters, and
other pertinent subjects.
Section 2. The Bishop shall cause to be prepared for review by Diocesan Council and
submission to the Convention for its approval, a comprehensive operating budget (“the budget”)
for the ensuing year. The budget shall be based on the aggregate of the tithes of the total
operating income of each Congregation, augmented by any income anticipated from
contributions, grants, and pay-outs from trusts and endowments. The budget shall reflect the
missionary objectives and staffing needs of the Diocese.
Section 3. In approving the budget for the ensuing year, the Convention shall also adopt an
estimate of what will be received from the Congregations in their Godly Share, based on a tithe
of the total operating income of each Congregation, using the total operating income of the most
recent year on which the books of each has been closed.
Section 4. Godly Share
a. A tithe of the total operating income of each congregation shall be considered that
congregation’s financial responsibility to the Diocese, its “Godly Share” given for the work of
the Diocese of which it is a participating member. The Godly Share is an offering and not a debt.
b. It shall be the duty of the Rector, or Minister-in-Charge, and Vestry of each congregation to
regularly advise the Director of Administration and Diocesan Council about any anticipated
difficulty in meeting the Godly Share to the Diocese, or about a rightful recalculation.
c. Each Congregation is asked to send to the Treasurer of the Diocese one-twelfth (1/12) of its
annual Godly Share before the end of each month, starting in January and concluding in
December; provided, however, that with the agreement of the Treasurer, a Congregation may
adopt a different schedule, with offerings no less frequent than quarter-annually.
d. Offerings which are more than three months past due, according to the approved schedule as
provided in Section 3 of this Canon, shall be considered delinquent. Delinquent Congregations
are ineligible to be considered for any Council programmatic grants or Board of Trustees
developmental loans for grants, unless Council and Trustees, respectively, consent to the request
for consideration, and to the aid itself, by separate majority votes.
e. When a Congregation is unable to fulfill its Godly Share, the Bishop and Council, may assign
an officer or member to work with the Congregation to help it identify and focus on the problems
it is encountering. Findings and recommendations shall be reported back to the Bishop and
Council.
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f. When a Congregation is unable to meet its Godly Share the Diocesan Council must determine
how either the current or the following year’s Budget and Assessment Schedule shall be adjusted
to compensate for such reduction, and Council may also recommend to the Bishop and Standing
Committee that such Congregation be designated a Stressed Congregation, in accordance with
Canon XVI, Section 6. Should a congregation increase its Godly Share the Diocesan Council
shall adjust the Diocesan budget accordingly.
Canon XV Of the Episcopal Funds
It shall be the duty of the Rector, or Priest/Deacon/ Minister-in-Charge, of each Congregation in
the Diocese to ask an offering from the people at each annual Episcopal visitation which shall be
placed in the hands of the Bishop, to be used at the Bishop’s discretion for the benefit of needy
persons, and which shall be known as the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund.
Canon XVI Of the Diocesan Cathedral
Section 1. Upon recommendation of the Diocesan Council, the Annual Convention may act to
designate a Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Section 2. The Cathedral Church, if there be one, shall have the same proportionate Lay
representation in the Convention of this Diocese and shall be subject to the same duties,
liabilities and assessments as any Congregation.
Section 3. The word “Congregation” wherever used in the Constitution and Canons of this
Diocese shall be taken to include the Cathedral Church.
Section 4. At each Annual Convention, if there be a Cathedral, there shall be elected one
member of the Clergy and one Lay person to serve as members of the Cathedral Chapter and its
corporation for a period of three years.
Canon XVII Of Congregations
Section 1. Any Congregation that: (1) recognizes the authority of the Constitution and Canons
of this Diocese, (2) commits to upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set
forth in the Book of Common Prayer, and (3) ensures the preaching of the Pure Word of God and
the due administration of the sacraments according to Christ’s ordinance may request
consideration for admission into union with Convention. Once admitted into union with the
Convention, Congregations shall continue to recognize the authority of the Constitution and
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Canons of this Diocese, commit to upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set
forth in the Book of Common Prayer, and ensure the preaching of the Pure Word of God and the
due administration of the sacraments according to Christ’s ordinance.
Section 2. In order to be admitted into union with Convention a congregation must submit its
Articles of Association, or Charter and By-laws, to the Bishop and Standing Committee for
approval at least two months before the meeting of the Convention and demonstrate to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Bishop and Standing Committee that it has the capacity to meet its
anticipated obligations as a Congregation of the Diocese.
Section 3. No consecrated Church or Chapel shall be removed, taken down or otherwise
disposed of for any worldly or common use without the previous consent of the Bishop, acting
with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese.
Section 4. No alterations in the Articles of Association, Charter, or By-laws, of any
Congregation shall be made unless approved by a majority of votes of the members of the
Congregation qualified to vote for members of the Vestry and who are present at a meeting
called on due notice. In addition, neither the Articles of Association nor the Charter and By-laws
of any Congregation shall be changed without the prior consent of the Convention or of the
Standing Committee.
Section 5. The union between Convention and a Congregation may be dissolved by action of the
Convention or the Congregation.
a. The Convention may, by a two-thirds vote, dissolve its union with any Congregation.
A determination that a Congregation has failed and continues to fail to meet the obligations
imposed in Section 1 of this Canon shall establish particular, but not exclusive, grounds for
dissolution. Provided, however, that notice of said proposed action shall have been given in
writing at least thirty days in advance, by United States Mail or hand delivery, to all the Clergy
and the Lay Deputies of all the Congregations of the Diocese, and to the Rector, Wardens, and
Vestry of the Congregation whose union is in re-consideration. Any Congregation seeking to
dissolve its union in order to unite with another Anglican Church in North America diocese may
request Convention action consonant with this provision.
b. Any Congregation may dissolve its union with Convention by a two-thirds vote at any
Congregation meeting properly called as provided in the by-laws of the Congregation; provided,
however, that 1) recommendation to dissolve union has been on the published agenda of the two
successive meetings of the Vestry prior to the Congregation meeting, 2) dissolution of union has
been approved by the Vestry at the second of those meetings and, 3) notice of the dissolution
vote proposed to be held at the Congregation meeting shall be given in writing at least thirty days
in advance, by circular letter, to all the Clergy and the Lay Deputies of all the of the Diocese, as
well as to the members of the Congregation. If a Congregation dissolves its union with
Convention notice shall be given to the Bishop and Diocesan Council promptly.
c. Financial commitments of the Diocese to the Congregation or of the Congregation to the
Diocese shall be honored through the budget year of the dissolution, unless a mutually agreeable
earlier termination shall have been agreed by the Diocesan Council and the Vestry of the
Congregation whose union is being dissolved.
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Section 6. Congregations shall compensate the canonically resident Clergy who minister to
them no less than the minimum total compensation and benefits package established by the
Diocesan Council, except in special cases as determined by the Bishop and the Standing
Committee.
Section 7. A Congregation may identify itself as a Stressed Congregation or the Bishop or
Standing Committee may designate a Congregation in Union with the Convention as a Stressed
Congregation.
a. When a Congregation identifies itself as a Stressed Congregation, it shall retain that
status until the Congregation shall certify, in writing, and the Bishop and Standing
Committee concur, in writing, that the Congregation has overcome its inability to
function properly as a Congregation in Union with the Convention.
b. If, when the Bishop or Standing Committee designates a Congregation as a Stressed
Congregation, and the Congregation disagrees with that designation as demonstrated by a
vote of more than two-thirds of the members of its Vestry as it consisted prior to the
designation, the Congregation in question may appeal to the Diocesan Council.
c. The appointment of Priests or other Ministers-in-Charge to, and their removal from,
Stressed Congregations is vested in the Bishop.
d. Election to and service on the Vestry of a Stressed Congregation shall be with the consent
of and by the authority of the Bishop.
e. Stressed Congregations shall nevertheless be subject to Godly Share contributions for the
upkeep of the Diocese.
Section 8. It shall be the duty of the Diocesan Council to report to the Secretary of the
Convention before December 31st of each year, any change that may have occurred during that
year in the status of any Congregation under the preceding Section.
Section 9. Where, owing to the change in the character of the neighborhood in which a
Congregation is located or for any other reason it shall appear to the Bishop that the boundaries
of the Congregation should be changed, or that the site or location of any Church or Chapel
should be changed, the Bishop shall have power to suggest such changes in the boundaries of the
Congregation or in the site of the Church or Chapel as may seem for the best interests of the
Congregation and of the Diocese.
a. In such cases the Bishop shall transmit suggestions to the Diocesan Council for advice. Upon
receipt of such suggestions a copy thereof shall be sent by the Council to the Congregation. In
all cases where the title to the property is held by the Board of Trustees for the Diocese, a copy
of such suggestion shall be sent to the said Board of Trustees.
b. After investigation, consideration and consultation with the Rector or
Priest/Deacon/Minister-in-Charge and Vestry of the Congregation, the Diocesan Council shall
advise the Bishop in writing, a copy of which shall be sent to the same parties who received the
original suggestions.
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c. After receiving the advice of the Council, and after consultation with the Rector or
Priest/Deacon/ Minister-in-Charge and Vestry of the Congregation, the Bishop shall give the
final decision and shall send the same to the Congregation.
d. If any Congregation which is at that time receiving aid from any of the Diocesan funds shall
refuse to agree or shall within six months after the receipt of the final decision fail to carry out
the same, it shall cease to receive aid from the Diocese.
Section 10. The secular affairs of each Congregation shall be conducted by a Vestry of not less
than five persons to be elected according to the By-laws of such Congregation.
Section 11. The Vestry shall consist of baptized members of the Church, and, wherever
practicable, of confirmed members of the Church, and, when possible, of actual communicants in
the Congregation. Vestry membership shall not be restricted with regard to sex.
Canon XVIII Of Mission Fellowships
Section 1. New congregations not yet recognized as a Congregation in Union with the
Convention under Canon XVI, Section1, shall be known as Mission Fellowships.
Section 2. Mission Fellowships may petition for association with the Convention provided their
governing body has
a) adopted the accession clause of Article XIII of the Constitution;
b) provided directors' and officers' liability insurance for its leadership consistent with
the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is located; and
c) agreed to Conciliation of Disputes as follows: If a dispute arises between two or more
persons in connection with the common life or governance of the Mission Fellowship and
such dispute cannot be resolved according to the biblical mandate found in Matthew
18:15-17, the parties to the dispute shall submit the circumstances and issues of the
dispute to the Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh for mediation
and resolution. In all matters the Standing Committee shall first seek to reconcile the
conflicting parties. If reconciliation is not possible then the Standing Committee shall
arbitrate a solution and such solution shall be binding on all parties.
Section 3. Convention may grant seat, voice and vote to Mission Fellowships accepted into
association with the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh. The number of deputies shall conform to
the provisions of Canon III (Of Deputies).
Section 4. For purposes of leadership and organization, the provisions of Canon XVI relating to
Congregations shall, as far as possible, guide oversight and structure of such Mission
Fellowships.
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Section 5. For purposes of sharing in the financial life of the diocese, the provision of Canon
XIII, Section 4 (relating to the Godly Share) shall, as far as possible, guide the development of
Mission Fellowship budgets.
Section 6. If Mission Fellowship status is granted by Convention, the governing body (vestry) of
the congregation shall, in consultation with the Chancellor, incorporate and file its Charter, shall
develop its by-laws consistent with the model by-laws provided by the Standing Committee, and
prepare such other materials as may be required for admission as a Congregation under Article
XIII (Admission of Congregations) and Canon XVI (Of Congregations).
Section 7. No congregation may remain as a Mission Fellowship for more than five years.
Canon XIX Of the Organization of Unincorporated and Incorporated Congregations
Section 1. Any Congregation may organize as an unincorporated Congregation, with the
consent of the Bishop and Standing Committee, by the adoption of Articles of Association
approved by the Standing Committee, and by the election of a Vestry, who with the Rector or
Priest/ Deacon/Minister-in-Charge, shall have control of the affairs of the Congregation;
provided, however, that no such organization shall be effected until a specified annual sum,
sufficient for the salary of the Rector or Priest/Deacon/Minister-in-Charge and the support of the
Congregation shall have been guaranteed to the satisfaction of the Bishop and the Standing
Committee, and provided also that such organization shall not prevent a subsequent
incorporation of the same Congregation as hereinafter provided for.
Section 2. Any Congregation may become incorporated, with the consent of the Bishop and
Standing Committee, under Articles of Incorporation, approved by the Convention, and by the
election of not less than five members to the Vestry, whose powers and duties, when not defined
by the Articles of Incorporation, may be prescribed by By-laws.
Section 3. Until a Congregation shall have duly adopted By-laws, its proceedings, and those of
the Vestry shall be governed by By-laws recommended and set forth in the Appendices to the
Canons of this Diocese.
Canon XX Business Methods in Church Affairs
In every Congregation and institution connected with this Diocese, the following standard
business methods shall be observed:
Section 1. Funds held in trust, endowment and other permanent funds, and securities
represented by physical evidence of ownership or indebtedness, shall be deposited with a
National or State Bank, or the Board of Trustees of the Diocese, or with some other agency
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approved in writing by the Finance Committee of the Diocese, under a deed of trust, agency or
other depository agreement providing for at least two signatures on any order of withdrawal of
such funds or securities.
But this paragraph shall not apply to funds and securities refused by the depositories named as
being too small for acceptance. Such small funds and securities shall be under the care of the
persons or corporations properly responsible for them.
This paragraph shall not be deemed to prohibit investments in securities issued in book entry
form or other manner that dispenses with the delivery of a certificate evidencing the ownership
of the securities or the indebtedness of the issuer.
Section 2. Records shall be made and kept of all trust and permanent funds showing at least the
following:
a. Source and date.
b. Terms governing the use of principal and income.
c. To whom and how often reports of conditions are to be made.
d. How the funds are invested.
Section 3. Treasurers and custodians, other than banking institutions, shall be adequately
bonded, except treasurers of funds that do not exceed five hundred dollars at any one time during
the fiscal year.
Section 4. Books of account shall be so kept as to provide the basis for satisfactory accounting.
Section 5. All accounts of the Diocese shall be audited annually by an independent Certified
Public Accountant. All accounts of Congregations or other institutions shall be audited annually
by an independent Certified Public Accountant, or independent Licensed Public Accountant, or
such audit committee as shall be authorized by the Judge of Audits of the Diocesan Council or
other appropriate diocesan authority.
All reports of such audits, including any memorandum issued by the auditors or audit committee
regarding internal controls or other accounting matters, together with a summary of action taken
or proposed to be taken to correct deficiencies or implement recommendations contained in any
such memorandum, shall be filed with the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority not later than 30
days following the date of such report, and in no event, not later than September 1 of each year
covering the financial report of the previous calendar year. In any case of failure to file such
audits, memorandum, or summary as required herein, any and all Lay Deputies of such
delinquent Congregations shall be entitled to Seats with voice but no vote in the Convention.
Section 6. The Judge of Audits of the Diocesan Council shall require annual reports and audits
of all accounts to be filed with the Director of Administration, shall deliver copies thereof to the
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Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees for its information, and shall report annually to the
Convention of the Diocese upon administration of this Canon.
Section 7. All buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured.
Section 8. The fiscal year shall begin January 1.
Canon XXI Districts
In order to facilitate the cooperation of Congregations with each other and with the Diocese:
Section 1. The Diocese shall be divided into such Districts, not less than six nor more than ten,
as may be determined from time to time by action of the Convention. The Bishop, with the
advice of the Standing Committee, shall formulate the districting plan which, after at least one
open hearing, shall be submitted to Diocesan Council for its concurrence prior to presentation of
the plan to the Convention for approval.
Section 2. Each District shall have a Commission consisting of (1) the Rectors,
Priests/Deacons/Ministers-in-Charge and Assistant Ministers of the Congregations in the
District, (2) those other active or retired non-parochial and non-stipendiary Deacons and Priests
living or working within the District, who are canonically resident in the Diocese, and (3) all Lay
Deputies to the Convention designated by the Congregations in the District.
Section 3. Each District Commission shall meet annually in order to elect one of its members to
serve as members (Pursuant to Article XI, Section 1 of the Constitution, and to Canon VI,
Section 3) of Diocesan Council and, where a vacancy is about to occur, one individual to serve
on the Board of Trustees. The Annual Meeting of the District Commissions shall take place as
part of the order of business for the Annual Convention of the Diocese.
Section 4. In addition to such Annual Meeting, a District Commission may meet for purposes of
regional missionary work or regional fellowship and programming. District Commissions are
encouraged to meet apart from Convention for the following purposes:
a. to consider regional problems, needs, strategies, evangelization, programs, and budgets;
b. to enable specialization and particularization of individual congregations on behalf of all the
others;
c. to support and encourage one another as missionary congregations;
d. to prepare Commission members on budget and policy matters to come before the Diocesan
Convention.
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A District Commission may elect a presiding officer and such other officers as it shall designate.
In cases where no presiding officer has been chosen by a District Commission prior to
Convention or to any subsequent meeting, the priest in charge of a congregation within the
District who has served longest in his or her current cure shall be the presiding officer.
Section 5. A meeting of any District Commission may be called, with appropriate notice to all
members as follows: 1) by its presiding officer; 2) by the Bishop; 3) by all the deputies of any
one congregation within the District; 4) by the Council members elected by that District
Commission; 5) by one quarter of the deputies of such District Commission.
Canon XXII Ecclesiastical Discipline
Section 1. Charges as identified in Title IV, Canon 2 of the Canons of the ACNA may be
brought against Clergy of the Diocese.
Section 2. If any charges are brought against any member of the Clergy of the Diocese as
provided in Section 1 of this Canon, such charges shall be considered, investigated and
prosecuted as provided in Title IV of the Canons of the ACNA. In all events, the process of
ecclesiastical discipline shall be subject to the terms of said Canons of the ACNA as amended
from time to time. If there are any inconsistencies between the Canons of the Diocese and said
Canons of the ACNA, said Canon of the ACNA shall control.
Section 3. For purposes of applying Title IV, Canon 2 of the Canons of the ACNA, the
following shall apply:
a. “Canonical Investigator” shall mean a duly licensed attorney, appointed to investigate matters
of ecclesiastical discipline on behalf of the Diocese, to represent the Diocese in the prosecution
of presentments against Priests and Deacons and to represent the Diocese in an appeal to the
Provincial Tribunal of a Trial of a Priest or Deacon. The Canonical Investigator’s client shall be
the Diocese. Neither the Chancellor nor a Vice Chancellor of the Diocese shall serve as
Canonical Investigator. The Canonical Investigator need not reside in or be a member of the
Diocese proceeding under this Canon.
b. The Bishop shall serve as the “diocesan authority.”
c. The Array of the Diocese shall serve as the “ecclesiastical Trial Court.”
Section 4. Concerning the Array:
a. The Array shall consist of five (5) priests or deacons and four (4) lay persons, to be elected by
the Diocesan Convention to serve three (3) year terms on a staggered basis.
b. Each member shall serve until his or her successor is elected or until the conclusion of any
trial being heard by said member and the rendering of a Verdict thereon, whichever is later. No
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person who has served two consecutive full terms shall be eligible for election until a full year
has elapsed. Eighteen or more months shall be treated as a full term.
c. If a vacancy occurs for any reason the Standing Committee shall appoint a replacement from
the appropriate Order, Clerical or Lay.
d. At such time as a matter is referred to the Array, the members of the Array shall elect one of
its members to serve as Presiding Judge.
Canon XXIII Of the Mode of Election of Rector or Other Member of the Clergy
Section 1. When a Congregation proceeds to call a new Rector, it shall first consider a list of
candidates proposed by the Bishop. The Vestry may reject all of the proposed names after due
research and shall thereupon notify the Bishop. The Vestry shall then ask the Bishop for
additional names and may reject all of these. They may then proceed to consider other names.
The Vestry’s choice shall be communicated to the Bishop in writing together with
documentation evidencing the qualifications of the candidate to meet the Congregation’s
requirements for priestly leadership. The Bishop shall have 30 days to respond. The Bishop shall
have the option of approving, or, after consultation with the Standing Committee, of rejecting the
proposed candidate. If the candidate is rejected, the Vestry may proceed to consider other
candidates.
In the event that the Bishop and the Vestry cannot resolve their differences over Clergy selection,
the case shall be taken to the Standing Committee which shall hear the facts from all concerned
parties and recommend a course of action.
The Bishop shall thereafter consult with the Standing Committee and the Vestry to effect the
final disposition of the issue in the most satisfactory manner possible.
Section 2. When a Rector, Wardens and members of a Vestry proceed to call an Assistant
Minister, the Rector shall first consult with the Bishop and submit a list of proposed candidates
to the Bishop as well as receive a list of proposed candidates from the Bishop. Only those
candidates of the Rector who are approved by the Bishop may be submitted to the Vestry as a
whole. The Vestry may reject all the candidates proposed and the Rector, thereupon, would
notify the Bishop. The Bishop and Rector in consultation shall then present the names of the
additional candidates. The choice of the Rector, Wardens and members of the Vestry shall be
communicated to the Bishop in writing, and the Bishop shall have 30 days to respond. The
Bishop shall have the option of approving, or, after consultation with the Standing Committee, of
rejecting the proposed candidate. If the candidate is rejected, the Rector, Wardens and members
of the Vestry may proceed to consider other candidates. In the event that the Bishop and the
Rector, Wardens and members of the Vestry cannot resolve their differences over the Clergy
selection, the case shall be taken to the Standing Committee which shall hear the facts from all
concerned parties and recommend a course of action. The Bishop shall thereafter consult with
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the Standing Committee and the Rector, Wardens and members of the Vestry to effect the final
disposition of the issue in the most satisfactory manner possible.
Section 3. A Rector, Assistant Minister or Priest, or Deacon-in-Charge of a Congregation shall
be elected by the affirmative votes of two-thirds of the Vestry, given by ballot; and, in addition,
in the election of an Assistant, the consent of the Rector shall have previously been expressed in
writing. The election must be made after open nomination at a previous meeting of the Vestry
duly convened. The notice for the meeting of the Vestry at which such election is intended shall
express such intention.
Section 4. The call of the Clergy-elect shall be in writing in a letter of agreement between the
member of the Clergy and the Vestry (and in the case of a Stressed Congregation, the Bishop
and Diocesan Council) and must express distinctly job description and any special conditions,
together with the stipulations of salary or support, which salary when the member of the Clergy
is settled shall be held a valid legal contract, and the salary as accruing to be an acknowledged
debt, recoverable by process of law, if necessary, of which said call shall be held as substantial
evidence. Provided, that the salary may be increased or diminished, as the parties may from time
to time agree; due notice of which shall be given to the Ecclesiastical Authority by the Clerk of
the Vestry.
Section 5. On the election of the member of the Clergy as aforesaid, the Vestry shall
immediately deliver to the Bishop, or to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese, notice of
said election in the form following, or to this effect, which shall be signed by the names of those
who certify: “We, the Church Wardens (or, in case of an Assistant, We, the Rector and Church
Wardens), do certify to the Rt. Rev. (naming the Bishop) or to the Reverend (naming the
President of the Standing Committee when necessary) that A. B. (naming the person), has been
duly chosen Rector, Assistant, or Priest, or Deacon-in-Charge (as the case may be) of (naming
the Congregation) on the following condition (here shall follow a full copy of the call).”
Section 6. The said elected member of the Clergy shall not be recognized by the Bishop as the
Rector, Assistant, or Priest, or Deacon-in-Charge of the Congregation until said elected member
of the Clergy has been canonically transferred to this jurisdiction nor shall the said elected
member of the Clergy with or without the consent of the Vestry of said Church perform any of
the rites or ceremonies of the Church except with the special permission of the Bishop of this
Diocese until the Bishop or the Ecclesiastical Authority shall have certified to the Vestry that
such member of the Clergy-elect has been canonically transferred to this jurisdiction. The
certificate of the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority shall be entered upon the minutes of the
Vestry.
Canon XXIV Of the Canonically Resident Clergy
Section 1. The Rector or Priest/Deacon/Minister-in-Charge of a Congregation has, by virtue of
office, the exclusive charge and care of all the spiritual concerns, music and ritual observances of
the Congregation, subject and answerable only to the Bishop.
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Section 2. For the purposes of the office and for the full and free discharge of all functions and
duties pertaining thereto, the Rector shall, at all times, be entitled to the use and control of the
Church and Congregation buildings with the appurtenances and furniture thereof.
Section 3. The Rector shall have the full control and direction of all Guilds, Societies and
Associations within the Congregation. Unless otherwise provided by the Charter of the
Congregation, the Rector may call meetings of the Vestry and Congregation as the Rector shall
deem proper, and is ex-officio President of the same, and is entitled to speak and vote on all
questions before these bodies. The Rector shall call a meeting of the Vestry when requested to
do so by a majority of the members of the same.
Canon XXV Bishop’s Authority in Clergy-Congregation Relations
When, in the judgment of the Bishop, it shall appear (a) that there are grounds for believing,
whether because of age, infirmity, or other cause, that the relationship between a Rector, Priest/
Deacon/ Minister-in-Charge, or (at the request of the Rector) an Assistant Minister and a
Congregation is such that it is not in the best interest of the Congregation or the Diocese that
such person continue to perform Congregation duties or (b) that there are grounds for believing
that the relations between a Rector, Priest/Deacon/Minister-in- Charge and a Congregation are
such that the member of the Clergy is prevented from performing ecclesiastic and other duties in
a manner which is in the best interest of the Congregation and the Diocese, the Bishop shall first
counsel with the member of the Clergy in that Congregation, and thereafter shall counsel the
Vestry or the member of the Clergy, as appropriate, and attempt to resolve the problem. Failing
this, the Bishop, or the Vestry, or the member of the Clergy shall take the case to the Standing
Committee which shall hear the facts, call for any records deemed necessary, and recommend a
course of action. The Bishop, after weighing the advice of the Standing Committee, shall
thereafter consult with the Standing Committee, the Vestry, the member of the Clergy involved,
and other concerned parties to effect a final disposition of the issue in the most satisfactory
manner possible, including authority to require a Congregation to provide for a new election of
one or more members of the Vestry.
Canon XXVI Of Definition of Titles
Section 1. Whereas, the Titles used for the Canonically Resident Clergy are not authoritatively
defined in the legislation of the Church, therefore for the purpose of the Constitution and of these
Canons these respective Titles shall be understood and received as follows:
a. A “Rector” is the Senior Priest of a Congregation in Union with the Convention, called by
the Vestry and appointed by the Bishop, whose appointment is without limitation of time.
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b. An “Assistant” is a Priest or Deacon called by the Vestry to assist the Rector, either for a
specified time, or permanently.
c. A Priest-in-Charge or a Pastor is a Priest or Deacon appointed to serve a Congregation and
whose appointment to the Congregation is subject to a specific agreement as to time and other
conditions. These Titles also apply to all members of the Clergy appointed by the Ecclesiastical
Authority to the cure of souls.
d. Minister-in-Charge is a Lay Person appointed by the Ecclesiastical Authority to conduct the
religious affairs of a Congregation having no Priest or Pastor.
Canon XXVII Of Persons Repelled from the Holy Communion
When a person who has been repelled from the Holy Communion appeals to the Bishop, and is
not restored by the Bishop, the Bishop may, and if the person repelled demands it, shall appoint
one Presbyter of this Diocese, and two Lay Persons, Communicants in some other Congregation
than that of the person repelled, who shall make inquiry into the facts of the case, and shall make
report thereof, with their opinion thereon, to the Bishop, who may restore the person, or
otherwise, as the Bishop may deem proper.
Canon XXVIII Of Vacant Congregations
Section 1. The Bishop shall assume ecclesiastical oversight of each vacant Congregation.
Section 2. When the Vestry is notified by the Rector of an intent to resign, the Bishop shall
simultaneously be notified. Upon such notification, the Bishop shall have the authority to
examine any Congregation records which would assist in evaluating the condition of the
Congregation. The Vestry shall furnish the Bishop such information as the Bishop deems
necessary to assist the Congregation in the selection of a new Rector, including but not limited
to, congregation goals, profile of the Congregation, and desired Clergy qualifications.
Section 3. In the event of a vacant Congregation, the Bishop shall take such action as the Bishop
deems appropriate to supply said Congregation for appropriate services, and such supply
expenses shall be borne by said Congregation.
Section 4. When a Congregation becomes vacant, it shall be the duty of the Wardens thereof to
give notice to the Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, to the President of the Standing Committee,
forthwith.
Section 5. A Minister canonically resident in this Diocese, without a Congregation, may not
assume pastoral relations with, nor officiate for longer than one month in a Congregation, unless
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and until he or she shall have obtained from the Bishop a written license authorizing the Minister
so to do, and, if such license be refused, by and with the advice and consent of a majority of all
the members of the Standing Committee, and if such Clergy shall nevertheless, without such
license, officiate in such Congregation, or attempt to assume such pastoral relations, the Clergy,
by reason of such action on his or her part, shall thereafter not be in regular standing in this
Diocese until he or she shall have made satisfaction to the Bishop; and any subsequent
Convention of this Diocese may dissolve its union with the offending Congregation, provided the
Standing Committee shall, at least thirty days prior to such Convention, have sent to the Vestry,
or to one of the Wardens, of such Congregation written notice that the action of the Congregation
will be reported to the Convention.
Canon XXIX
Of the Relocation of Church Buildings
No Congregation shall relocate from one church building to another without first obtaining the
permission of the Bishop, in consultation with the Standing Committee.
Canon XXX Of Elections
All elections at the Convention or at meetings of the District Commissions, except as provided
for in Article XIV of the Constitution, shall be by ballot (unless the same should be dispensed
with by unanimous consent), the Clergy and Deputies acting as one body. PROVIDED, that
before or in the course of any election at the Convention, on a call by any ten members of whom
at least five must be Clergy and at least five must be Lay Deputies, made just prior to any ballot
taken therein, the Convention shall on such individual ballot vote by Orders; and, in such case,
no person shall be considered as elected to any office to be filled by the Convention unless such
person obtains the concurrent vote of both Orders. All officers and members of committees shall
continue in office until their successors are chosen.
Canon XXXI Of Confessors and the Rite of Confession
Section 1. A as part of the care of souls, the Rite of Confession, also known as the
Reconciliation of a Penitent, is available in this Diocese to all who sincerely repent and seek
absolution of their sins.
Section 2. Only Bishops and Priests may serve as Confessors, and are exclusively able to
announce absolution of sins.
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Section 3. The Seal of Confession is absolute and inviolable; therefore, it is absolutely forbidden
for a Confessor to betray in any way a penitent in word or in any manner or for any reason.
There are never any circumstances whatsoever in which the communications made under the
Seal between a penitent and a Confessor may be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to a third party,
even a third party who purports to act under the color of ecclesiastical or legal authority.
Section 4. A Confessor is prohibited completely from using knowledge acquired from
confession to the detriment of a penitent even when any danger of revelation is excluded. A
Confessor who has been placed in a position of authority may not, at any time or in any manner,
use for external governance the knowledge about sins which he or she has received in
Confession.
Canon XXXII Of the Commission on Ministry
Section 1. Duties. The Commission on Ministry shall assist the Bishop in matters pertaining to
the enlistment and selection of persons for Ministry, in the guidance and pastoral care of all
Candidates for Holy Orders, in the examination of persons for Holy Orders, and in discharging
any additional duties relating to Ministry as are, or may be, required by the Constitution and
Canons of the Church.
Section 2. Membership. The Bishop shall appoint to the Commission on Ministry such persons
as the Bishop may deem proper. The term of office shall be one year. Members shall be eligible
for reappointment.
Section 3. Meetings. Meetings of the Commission on Ministry shall be held upon the call of the
Bishop or of the person appointed by the Bishop to act as presiding officer of the Commission.
At any meeting, any number assembled after due notice to all members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum.
Canon XXXIII Of Architecture of Church Buildings
When a Congregation proposes to make structural changes to any of its Church buildings, it shall
first submit its architectural plans for the changes to the Bishop. No Congregation may
undertake such structural changes without first obtaining the permission of the Bishop. For the
purposes of this Canon, the phrase “structural changes” means substantial physical changes such
as construction of an addition or removal or replacement of stained glass windows. The phrase
does not include ordinary maintenance activities or superficial changes such as painting.
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Canon XXXIV Of Amendments
The Canons may be amended in the following manner only: Amendments must be proposed in
writing to the Annual Convention and be referred to, and reported upon by, the Committee on
Canons.
Canon XXXV Definitions
Except as may otherwise be provided within these Canons, for purposes of the Canons of the
Diocese of Pittsburgh:
a. “constitution” shall mean the Constitution of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
b. “The Bishop” shall mean the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
c. “ACNA” shall mean the Anglican Church in North America.
d. “the Church” shall refer to the Anglican Church in North America.
e. “The Diocese” or “Diocese” shall refer to The Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh.
f. “Operating Income” of a Congregation shall mean the total of all income received for use in
the annual operation of the Congregation and shall include, but is not limited to, pledges, gifts,
contributions, grants, and investment income.
g. “Godly Share” shall mean the financial responsibility of a congregation to share in the life of
the Diocese and determined as provided in Canon XIII Section 4.
h. “Congregation” shall mean a gathered group of Christians who have organized and function in
accordance with the Canons of the Anglican Church in North America, who are associated with
the Diocese, and under the oversight of the Bishop. Congregations may be established based
upon geography, a focus on reaching particular sociological or ethnic populations, or any other
missional purpose. There are three categories of Congregations in the Diocese: Congregations
in Union with the Convention, Mission Fellowships, and Stressed Congregations.
i. “Congregations in Union with the Convention” shall mean those Congregations which founded
the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh and remain in good standing with it, in addition to those
Congregations which have been admitted into Union with the Convention since that time,
according to the process established in Article XIII of the Constitution and Canon XVI, Section
2.
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j. “Stressed Congregation” shall mean a Congregation in Union with the Convention designated
as a Stressed Congregation when one of the following occurs: (1) The Congregation gives
notice, through its Vestry, to the Bishop or Standing Committee, that it is unable to function
properly, including but not limited to the ability to call or retain adequate clergy, because of
financial or any other reasons; (2) The Bishop or Standing Committee determines that the
Congregation is unable to function properly, including but not limited to the ability to call or
retain adequate clergy, because of financial or any other reasons; (3) the Congregation is unable
to contribute its Godly Share and this disability will likely continue.
l. “Mission Fellowship” shall mean a gathered group of Christians, in the process of organizing
and beginning to function in accordance with the Canons of the Anglican Church in North
America and of the Diocese.
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Rules of Order
Established by the Convention of the Diocese of Pittsburgh for conducting the business of the
Convention. These Rules shall not be amended, suspended or repealed except by an affirmative
vote of a majority of the members present.
A. Organization and Business
1. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Canons and these Rules of Order, the
organization, order of business, and program of work of the Convention shall be determined by
the Convention Committee with the approval of the Bishop and Diocesan Council. The work of
the Convention for the twelve-month period beginning with its fall session may be conducted in
one or more sittings, or by special sessions convened by the Bishop.
2. The Convention shall be called to order and presided over by the Bishop, acting as the
President thereof, or in the Bishop’s absence or inability to act, then by the person designated in
Article IV of the Constitution.
3. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the last Convention, or in the Secretary’s absence some
other person appointed by the Bishop or officer presiding, to certify the roll of the Clergy entitled
to Seats in the Convention, and the roll of the Lay Deputies authorized to represent Parishes
entitled to representation at the Convention.
4. The Convention having been thus organized, the first business thereafter shall be the election
of a Secretary. To this end, the President shall call on the presiding officer of the Diocesan
Council to place in nomination the person recommended by the Council to serve as Secretary of
the Convention.
5. The President shall then appoint the following regular committees:
a. On the claims of Lay Deputies to Seats in the Convention; to consist of three Lay persons.
b. On the admission of Parishes into union with the Convention; to consist of one member of
the Clergy and two Lay persons.
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6. The agenda for the Convention shall make provision for the celebration of Holy Communion,
an address by the Bishop, a report of the Nominating Committee and elections, for reports by the
Standing Committee, the Diocesan Council, Board of Trustees, and Committee on Canons, and
for consideration and action on proposed policies, programs, budgets (including assessments),
resolutions, motions, reports, and notices, as may be provided by the Constitution and Canons or
otherwise be in order.
7. Any sitting of the Convention may be recessed upon motion duly acted upon to a fixed time
and place, or immediately after to such time and place as the Bishop in consultation with the
Convention Committee, may determine. Each sitting shall be closed with such religious
observance as the Bishop may direct.
8. Upon final adjournment of any sitting, the Secretary of the Convention shall submit the
minutes of the proceedings to the Bishop, the Chairperson of the Committee on Canons, and the
Chairperson of the Convention Committee, who shall read and approve them prior to their
publication and distribution.
B. General Rules
1. The following, if they are not Deputies shall be admitted to the sittings of the Convention
without vote and, except for Chairpersons of Boards and Commissions and except as provided in
Canon III, Section 3, without voice: all Clergy of the Anglican Church in North America who
are not canonically resident in the Diocese and of Churches in full communion with the same;
candidates for Holy Orders; members of all Diocesan Boards and Commissions; and the Vestry
of the Church in which the Convention is held. Upon their reporting themselves to the Secretary,
their names shall be entered in the Journal.
When the Convention is sitting as the Committee of the Whole, for the election of a bishop or for
other purposes, the following shall be entitled to Seats but, if not deputies, shall be without vote
and without voice: members of the Nominating/Search Committee (if other than the Standing
Committee), the Chairman of the Convention Committee, the Vice Chancellors, the Diocesan
Administrator and the Judge of Elections.
2. Elections by ballot. Elections by ballot shall be in the following mode and order:
Tickets shall be printed with all the names proposed and with half as many blank spaces as there
are candidates to be elected in which other names may be added in writing by the voter. The
voting shall be by the system commonly known as the Australian ballot, the candidates desired
being indicated by a cross (X) placed opposite each name.
There shall be a Judge of Elections, appointed by the Bishop and the Standing Committee before
the meeting of the Convention, who shall arrange all necessary details for balloting, including the
appointment of Tellers, and shall preside and act as Judge in all matters governing the voting.
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If only one nomination shall be made for any office to be filled, the Convention may, by
unanimous viva voce vote, direct the Secretary to cast the vote of the Convention for such
nominees without further delay.
The Judge of Elections shall report to the Convention the number of ballots cast and the number
of votes received by each candidate. Except in the case of candidates for election as Deputies or
Alternate Deputies to the General Convention or for election to the Standing Committee, the
candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the respective offices shall be declared
elected.
Four Deputies in each order to General Convention are to be elected by a majority of those
present and voting. If after the first ballot sufficient Deputies have not been elected, there shall
be a second ballot prepared by eliminating from the ballot such nominees in each order,
beginning with the nominee in each order who received the least number of votes on the first
ballot, as may be necessary to reduce the number of nominees in each order to twice the number
of vacancies to be filled from that order.
If after the second ballot, all vacancies have not been filled, by consent of a majority of those
present, a motion may, then or after any succeeding ballot, be entertained to elect unanimously to
the vacancy or vacancies still existing in each order the nominee or nominees of that order who
received the highest number of votes, but less than a majority, on the preceding ballot and the
same shall be declared duly elected.
Alternate Deputies shall then be elected from among the remaining candidates in each order by
plurality vote and shall rank in the order of the number of votes received.
Candidates for the Standing Committee must receive a majority of the votes cast in order to be
elected. If after the first ballot a vacancy remains in either order because no candidate received a
majority, a second ballot shall be prepared for that order which eliminates the candidate who
received the least number of votes on the first ballot unless there was a tie for the least number.
If subsequent re-balloting is necessary, each new ballot shall eliminate the candidate receiving
the least number of votes on the immediate preceding ballot.
3. Nominations
a. Parishes and district commissions shall be encouraged to and provided opportunity for
recommending to the Nominating Committee persons who are deemed to have exceptional
qualifications for the posts to be filled. Deadline for these recommendations shall be June 15th
each year. At least three months prior to the sitting of the Convention in which an election is to
be held, the Nominating Committee, to be constituted as hereinafter provided, shall nominate at
least one candidate, for each office to be filled by the Convention by election: provided,
however, that in accordance with Canon V, Section 2, there shall be at least two nominees for
each office of Trustee-At-Large, and provided, further, that in accordance with subsection A 4 of
these Rules of Order, Diocesan Council shall nominate a person to serve as Secretary of the
Convention. The list of such nominations shall be published, including biographical data on
each nominee, in an appropriate organ of Diocesan-wide circulation and distributed to each
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member of the Clergy, the Deputy Leader and the Senior Warden of each Parish at least one
month before the sitting of the Convention in which the election is to be held. Except as
otherwise provided in the Constitution and Canons, any candidate nominated must be a
Communicant in good standing of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
b. Thereupon and until two weeks before such sitting, any ten members of the Convention may
make additional nominations to the Convention through the Nominating Committee, providing
that such nominations shall be made in writing and signed by the members making such
nominations.
c. At the Convention, any ten members may make additional nominations for any office,
providing that such nominations shall be made in writing and signed by the members making
such nominations. The Nominating Committee shall report orally to the Convention the names
of candidates nominated pursuant to this paragraph.
d. Only the names of candidates nominated in accordance with Rules 3a and 3b shall be printed
upon the ballot to be used at the election.
e. After all candidates have been nominated as provided by Rules 3a and 3b, their names shall
be listed upon the ballot as determined by lot, accomplished by drawing successively the names
for each elective office by the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
f. The Diocesan Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President of Diocesan
Council in consultation with the Diocesan Bishop and the Presidents of the Standing Committee
and Board of Trustees. The Diocesan Nominating Committee shall be organized in January of
each year, consisting of one person from each District, with representation by both clergy and
laity. A chairperson shall be appointed by the President of Diocesan Council with the Consent of
the Bishop and the Presidents of Standing Committee and Board of Trustees. All members will
be appointed annually with no member serving more than four consecutive years. The duty of
the Nominating Committee shall be to present a full slate of nominees as required by
subparagraph B3a above and shall include, but not be limited to, soliciting, receiving and
screening recommendations from individuals, parishes and District Commissions.
4. Pre-Convention Journal
a. A Pre-Convention Journal with such supplements as may be necessary shall be reproduced
and made available to all Deputies, Clerical and Lay at least two weeks prior to the first or any
subsequent sitting of the annual Convention in which the business set forth in the Journal is to be
acted upon.
b. No resolutions, reports, or changes in Canon Law shall be considered in any sitting of the
Convention except they shall be published in said Journal. This rule shall not be interpreted to
exclude resolutions, which, in the opinion of the President of the Convention, do not affect the
financial or canonical life of the Diocese or which for any other reason should be considered by
the Convention.
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C. Parliamentary Procedure
1. No motion shall be put or debated until it is seconded, and, when seconded, it shall be stated
by the President before it is voted on; and every motion, when required, shall be reduced to
writing.
2. If the question in debate contains several distinct propositions, any member may have the
same divided.
3. When a question is under consideration, no motion shall be received unless to lay upon the
table, to postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a certain time, to commit, or to amend; and
motions for any of these purposes shall have precedence in the order herein named. If the
motion to lay an amendment on the table be carried, the Convention shall proceed as if no such
amendment had been offered.
The motion to lay on the table and to adjourn shall be decided without debate. The motion to
adjourn shall always be in order.
4. On a question being put by the President, it shall be determined by the sound of voices for or
against it; but any member may require the count of votes, and Tellers for that purpose shall be
appointed by the President; or a majority of the members present, may, previous to a decision by
count, require the ayes and nays to be taken, which shall be done by calling the names of the
Clerical members and then of the names of the lay deputies of each parish, and all votes by ayes
and nays shall be entered upon the minutes.
5. A question once decided shall not be reconsidered during the same session without an
affirmative vote of two-thirds, nor without a motion for that purpose being made by one of the
majority on the prior decision; nor shall any question be reconsidered more than once.
6. All questions of order shall be decided by the President, subject to an appeal to the House.
D. Rules of Order at the Election of a Bishop, Bishop-
Coadjutor, or Suffragan Bishop
The election of a Bishop for this Diocese shall be made in Convention in the following manner:
1. Deputies to Convention shall be given opportunity to submit names to be considered for
election as Bishop. Deputies shall also be given opportunity to submit questions to be answered
by nominees. A process to determine which names are to be placed before convention, and
which questions are to be asked of nominees may be adopted by Standing Committee, or by a
committee appointed by Standing Committee for that purpose. The names of nominees to come
before the Convention, and their responses to any questions, shall be clearly communicated in
writing prior to the meeting of Convention.
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2. Pursuant to Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution of this Diocese, the Secretary of the
Convention shall send to each Deputy and Alternate Deputy, as well as to every member of the
clergy entitled to vote, the following sections of our Constitution and Canons:
a. Article I and X of the Constitution of the Anglican Church in North America
b. Canon 8, Title III, (Anglican Church)
c. Article XIV of the Constitution of the Diocese, and
d. Section D, Rules of Order of the Diocese.
3. When the Convention gathers the President of the Convention shall, in the hearing of the
Convention, read Section D of the Rules of Order, that all may prepare themselves for the duty
about to be performed. Then the President shall read the form of testimonials which are to be
signed in behalf of the Bishop-elect and shall then announce that nominations will be next in
order.
4. The Standing Committee shall present the list of candidates for nomination. All nominations
are to be made without comment or discussion.
a. If there are any nominations intended to be made from the floor of the Convention, they shall
be offered at this time. All nominations from the floor shall be permitted, provided:
• they be made in writing, signed by ten members of Convention representing five
churches,
• consent has been given, in writing, by the nominee,
• that certified clearances, as used by the Standing Committee, accompany the
nomination, and
• that copies are laid before the Secretary of Convention.
b. No word of comment as to any nomination, or in praise or censure of any person nominated
shall be in order except in Committee of the Whole.
c. If during the election process a candidate withdraws or is withdrawn from the ballot, no
endorsement of another candidate will be in order.
5. At any time for the purpose of discussing the election process or nominations, the
Convention may, by majority vote, go into Committee of the Whole, and shall sit with closed
doors. The purpose of the Committee of the Whole is not to legislate but to deliberate matters
and nominations to be presented to the Convention. Only certified deputies, lay and clerical, sit
in the Committee of the Whole. The persons specified in paragraph B1 of the Rules of Order
shall be entitled to seats, but not to voice.
6. The order of names of nominees on the ballot shall be chosen by lot.
7. When all things are ready, all present shall be called to prayer, the Veni Creator shall be said
or sung, and other supplications added by the President of the Convention, followed by silent
prayer and The Lord’s Prayer.
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8. Tellers will be appointed by the President of Convention. Then, with the Tellers having taken
their places, the names of Clergy and Deputies shall be called, all other voices being suppressed.
Ballots (unless distributed individually to certified deputies or their alternates at registration)
shall be given to those who respond. If a Deputy does not answer to a roll call, the name of an
elected and certified Alternate may be announced by the deputation, and recorded by the
Secretary of the Convention. The tellers will withdraw to count. While ballots are being counted,
prayers, readings of Scripture, hymns, songs, and words of encouragement shall fill the interval.
The ballots being counted, the Tellers shall report, and the President shall declare the result.
9. If there be no election by concurrent majority of both Orders, new balloting must be made
with all solemnity as before, until, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a Bishop is duly chosen
and elected.
10. When an election has taken place, appropriate prayers and praises shall be offered. The
Bishop or President of the Convention shall appoint a committee to notify the Bishop-elect and
to seek consent of the same.
11. All deputies, clerical and lay, shall then sign the required form of testimonials certifying the
election.
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Financial Regulations Of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh Approved by Diocesan Council May 13, 2014
In accordance with Canon XIII of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the following regulations have been
prepared under the direction of the Bishop and approved by Diocesan Council for the
management of the fiscal affairs of the Diocese.
I. Collection and Handling of Funds
1. All funds received by the Diocese, whether in the form of cash, check, money order, or
securities, are to be processed by the Office of the Treasurer. Upon receipt such funds are
reviewed by the Treasurer and transmitted to the Diocesan Accounting Department with
instructions for deposit. Appropriate entries are made to record the credit to the account and fund
for which the funds are received. For internal control purposes two persons are responsible for
receiving, posting and depositing all funds.
2. A checking account shall be maintained for the general fund of the Diocese in the name of the
Diocese. All checks drawn on the account shall require the signature of the Treasurer or other
officers authorized to do so by resolution of the Board of Trustees. The monthly statement for
the checking account shall be received directly from the bank and reviewed by the Treasurer
along with the register of canceled checks. The statement and register of canceled checks are
then transmitted to the Accounting Department for reconciliation. All items on the bank
statement are to be reconciled to the general ledger. The registers of canceled checks are to be
retained for a period of seven years in the diocesan accounting office.
After checks are issued, a duplicate copy is to be filed in alphabetical order by vendor with the
supporting documentation. These copies and documentation are to be retained for a period of
seven years in the diocesan accounting office.
II. Authorization and Payment of Obligations
1. After the approval and ratification of the Diocesan Budget by the Diocesan Convention, the
Accounting Department shall establish a schedule of automatic disbursements of all regular
payments authorized.
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An original invoice and written authorization must be given to the Treasurer for the disbursement
of all other budgeted items, including salaries. A “Request for Cash Disbursement” form giving
the date, name of payee, amount, purpose, and account and signed by the person making the
request should be prepared for all disbursements that do not contain all of the required
information on the invoice. After review by the Treasurer to determine appropriateness of the
expenditure and budget availability, the request is approved by signature and forwarded to the
Accounting Office for disbursement.
2. Disbursement of endowment and other reserve funds is made only on action by the Board of
Trustees or its Executive Committee as reflected by a resolution in the minutes. The recorded
minutes of the Board of Trustees, with resolutions therein, signed by the Secretary of the Board,
shall be the authority for disbursement of said funds by the Accounting Department and the
Treasurer.
III. Accounting and Pre-Auditing
1. The accounting functions of the Diocese shall be handled by an Accountant who is under the
supervision of the Bishop and Treasurer. This Department shall maintain the daily transactions in
proper accounts in the chart of accounts for all of the fiscal operations of the Diocese. Records of
every financial transaction are to be kept by the Accountant according to the established fiscal
regulations for non-profit organizations. Quarterly, financial statements are to be distributed to
the Diocesan Council and Board of Trustees for review.
2. The Accountant shall establish records of the Godly Share for all parishes at the beginning of
each year and will maintain accurate records of all payments received. In addition, records will
be maintained of obligations for property insurance, health insurance and any other reserve
accounts of the various parishes.
3. Individual records shall be established for all loans made by the Diocese from Growth Fund
with confirmations of outstanding balances made periodically by the external auditors. Reports
are to be made to the Treasurer periodically, but at least once a year, of any delinquent loan
accounts and letters sent to the parish or individual in arrears.
4. The chart of accounts shall include individual accounts for all saving accounts and other
investment accounts and the Accountant will post all income or interest earned. Pre-audit
confirmations will be sent to the banks and brokers periodically to confirm the balances.
5. A schedule of all personnel salaries is to be prepared twice monthly and appropriate accounts
kept reflecting all tax withholding and insurance payments for Diocesan personnel.
IV. Budgetary Control
Budgetary control shall be under the general authority and responsibility of the Bishop who will
delegate to and coordinate such activity with the Treasurer. A quarterly report of operating
account “Statement of Activities” (operating income and disbursements vs. budget) shall be
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made by the Treasurer to the Diocesan Council and Board of Trustees. Regular reviews of the
status of all budgeted accounts shall be made by the Treasurer with the assistance of the
Accountant. Where overspending is imminent in any budgetary account, immediate consultation
will be held with the individual responsible for the account to bring the account into line with the
amount budgeted.
Should the Bishop and Treasurer in consultation with other appropriate Diocesan officials and
committees conclude that insufficient funds have been budgeted for a particular purpose, the
matter shall be submitted to the Diocesan Council for a reallocation of budgeted moneys, the
curtailment of spending, or whatever action is deemed appropriate.
V. Appointment, Compensation, and Conditions of Service of
Staff
1. The appointment of diocesan professional personnel shall be under the direct control of the
Bishop, or delegated to such other diocesan officer as the Bishop shall determine. The hiring of
secretarial and clerical staff shall be under the direct control of the Chief of Staff in consultation
with the Bishop. The number and qualifications of staff shall be based on the needs of the
diocesan operation in accordance with the established priorities for the diocese as determined by
the Bishop with advice and consent of the Diocesan Council and Board of Trustees.
The responsibilities and terms of employment of ordained staff members shall be negotiated by
the Bishop or his representative at the time of appointment. The responsibilities and duties of
both ordained and lay staff members shall be incorporated in Ministry Descriptions and
maintained by the Chief of Staff. Lay staff members will be employed under the Anglican
Diocese of Pittsburgh Diocesan Office Lay Employee Manual approved by the Standing
Committee and updated on a regular basis to ensure compliance with all federal and state laws.
2. Compensation of staff should be based on individual performance and comparable rates of
compensation and benefits for similar personnel in other small and non-profit businesses in
Allegheny County. The Bishop shall meet with the President of Standing Committee, President
of Diocesan Council and the President of the Board of Trustees serving as the Compensation
Committee of the Diocese, for their input and recommendations on compensation for senior staff
and the Bishop, himself, at least annually.
VI. Pension Arrangements All ordained clergy that are employees of the diocese shall be covered by the Anglican Church in
North America’s Retirement Plan. All lay employees of the diocese shall be covered by the
Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh Lay Retirement Plan. The contributions made on behalf of both
clergy and lay employees will be in accordance with the requirements of the applicable plan and
approved by the Standing Committee.
VII. Procurement and Handling of Equipment, Materials, and
Supplies
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he procurement and handling of all equipment, materials and supplies for the diocesan office will
be under the supervision, direction, and control of the Treasurer. An inventory of office furniture
and equipment is to be maintained by the Accounting Department. The Treasurer will be
responsible for seeing that adequate office supplies are on hand at the best possible price. All
orders for new equipment and supplies are to be processed through and approved by the
Treasurer.
VIII. Custody of and Procedure for Investment of Funds The investment of all funds, whether for short term or otherwise will be the responsibility of the
Treasurer under the control and authorization of the Finance/Investment Committee of the Board
of Trustees. The temporary or short term investment of cash shall be in accordance with
guidelines established by the committee for the guidance of the Treasurer. The investment of all
diocesan funds shall be in securities which are legal for the investment of funds by fiduciaries in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, conforming to the legal doctrine known as the “prudent
investment rule.”
The responsibility for the investment and reinvestment of funds may be delegated to a
professional investment manager or firm. When such delegation is made, the Board shall require
regular reports from the investment manager to the Finance/Investment Committee and the
Board of Trustees.
IX. Control of Capital Assets
1. All capital assets of the Diocese shall be titled in the name of the Board of Trustees as
specified in the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese. Sales and dispositions of assets must be
authorized by resolution of the Board and all agreements of sale, contracts, deeds and indenture
shall be signed by the President or Vice-President of the Board, such signature to be attested to
by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Board.
2. All bequests, gifts and other conveyances to the Diocese shall be received by the Board for the
purposes specified. Such control or management, with regard to the property as required under
the circumstances, shall be exercised by the Board or such person(s) or committee as delegated
by the Board of Trustees to handle such responsibility. Periodic reports shall be made to the
Board of Trustees by the Bishop, Treasurer or such other person(s) or committee involved
regarding the status and condition of such capital assets.
X. Post-Auditing
The Diocesan Council and Board of Trustees shall receive regular reports from the Bishop,
Treasurer and/or other authorized party regarding the financial, budgetary and fiscal condition of
all assets and accounts of the Diocese. The Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees shall make
a report to the Board and The Diocesan Council of the results of the annual audit by a public
auditor or auditing firm of the accounts of the Diocese and the recommendations of such auditor
for the improvement of the accounting system and internal fiscal controls. The Board of Trustees
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shall instruct the Treasurer as to the feasibility and acceptability of such recommendations and
shall receive follow up reports on the implementation of accepted recommendations.